Auto insurance in Florida is a type of insurance coverage that provides financial protection to vehicle owners in the event of accidents, damages, or injuries resulting from car-related incidents. It is mandatory for all registered vehicles in Florida to have auto insurance coverage, and failure to maintain the required coverage can result in penalties and legal consequences.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to maintain the required auto insurance coverage in Florida can result in penalties and consequences, including fines, driver’s license suspension, vehicle registration suspension, and the requirement to obtain expensive non-standard insurance (FR-44) after certain violations.
Minimum Coverage Requirements
Florida has specific minimum coverage requirements that vehicle owners must meet. The minimum coverage includes:
- $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which helps cover medical expenses for injuries sustained in a car accident, regardless of who is at fault.
- $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage, which covers damages to other people’s property caused by the insured driver.
Optional Coverage
While Florida requires the minimum coverage, you should consider additional optional coverage to provide more comprehensive protection. Optional coverage includes:
- Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) coverage, which provides coverage for injuries or death caused to others in an accident for which you are at fault.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which protects you if you are involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance or has inadequate coverage.
- Collision coverage, which pays for damages to your vehicle resulting from a collision, regardless of fault.
- Comprehensive coverage, which covers damages to your vehicle from non-collision incidents such as theft, vandalism, fire, or natural disasters.
No-Fault System
Florida follows a no-fault insurance system, which means that in the event of an accident, each driver’s insurance company pays for their respective policyholder’s medical expenses and certain other damages, regardless of who is at fault. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage plays a crucial role in this system.